• Presidency releases N200m to Lagos govt
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday commended the late Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh’s bravery, commitment and patriotism in restraining the Liberian-American, Mr Patrick Sawyer, from escaping from First Consultant Hospital, Lagos where he was treated for Ebola. Sawyer died in the hospital on July 20.
This is even as the Federal Government said N200 million has been released to the Lagos State Government to support its efforts in tackling the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
Also, the United States Government, in support of Federal Government’s efforts, has donated 30 body scanners that would soon be deployed in major entry and exit points across the country.
Dr Adadevoh died Tuesday evening from complications arising from contracting the disease when she treated Sawyer.
Addressing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by Jonathan, the Minister of Health, Onyeabuchi Chukwu and his Information counterpart, Labaran Maku, said but for Adadevoh’s commitment and vigilance, Sawyer would have escaped and infected several primary contacts which would have been difficult to trace.
Prof. Chukwu, who briefed the Council on the latest development as regards Ebola and efforts to eliminate the virus, said comprehensive efforts had been deployed to tackle EVD within the nation’s borders with the support of the President.
He said Nigeria has recorded 12 cases including the index case, Sawyer. According to him, among the 12 are 11 Nigerians who were primary contacts with the the late Liberian.
He said, “of these 12, the total number of successful cases who had been discharged is five, while five deaths including the index case have been recorded. Currently, the total number of cases in Nigeria are two, made up of one doctor, one nurse who had managed the index case and they are presently on treatment at the isolation centers.
“The latest death occurred Tuesday evening and that is the most senior doctor, Senior consultant/Physician/Endrocologist at First Consultant Hospital Lagos, Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh. Regrettably, she lost her life to Ebola virus. Of course, she contacted the disease from the Liberian-American, who exported the disease to Nigeria in the cause of treating that patient.
“Indeed, she had to physically restrain this infected person from escaping from hospital when the latter attempted to do so having been communicated that he was Ebola positive.
“Indeed, if that index case had escaped hospital at that stage, it would have spelt disaster for Nigeria. As many more persons would have primary contacts and it would have been very difficult to track them”, Chukwu said.
Ebola: Adadevoh risked her life to save Nigeria – FG |
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